Robert Novak Dies at 78

Robert D. Novak, 1931-2009

Robert Novak a very famous influential columnist died today at the age of 78. He was diagnosed with brain tumor last year. Really sad to see him go. He used to be a great panelist. We sure will miss him.

Mr. Novak’s “Inside Report” syndicated column, shared for 30 years with the late Rowland Evans, was important reading for anyone who wanted to know what was happening in Washington. Mr. Novak and Evans broke stories about presidential politics, fiscal policy and intra-party feuds. Their journalism, which reported leaks from the highest sources of government, often had embarrassing consequences for politicians.

In recent years, Mr. Novak was best known for publicly identifying CIA operative Valerie Plame. His July 14, 2003, column was printed days after Plame’s husband, former U.S. ambassador Joseph C. Wilson IV, publicly claimed that the Bush White House had knowingly distorted intelligence that Iraq tried to obtain uranium from Africa.

The column triggered a lengthy federal investigation into the Plame leak and resulted in the 2007 conviction of a top vice presidential aide, I. Lewis “Scooter” Libby, for perjury and obstruction of justice. President George W. Bush later commuted Libby’s prison term.

Read more at : http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/08/18/AR2009081801761.html?hpid=topnews

Rest in Peace Robert Novak.